Modular apparatus for diagnostic ultrasound

ABSTRACT

A modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is provided comprising a core unit, system electronics and an I/O port. The core unit comprises a housing and a system electronics package within the housing. The system electronics has one or more concatenated filters, including a front end transmit/receive circuit, a processor, a back end circuit for scan conversion, a system clock and a programmable system memory device. There is at least one I/O port connected to the front end and the back end of the system electronics package and extending through the core unit housing wherein all system data processing information is transmitted or received through the I/O port.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/369,023, filed on Mar. 29, 2002.

This case also includes common subject matter with U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/356,401, filed Jan. 31, 2003, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to diagnostic ultrasound equipment. Moreparticularly the present invention describes a modular system having amobile core module for data processing, beam forming and systemoperations, and additional modules capable of connecting to the coremodule to provide additional features and connectivity to peripheraldevices needed in diagnostic ultrasound procedures.

2. Description of the Background Art

Modern ultrasound diagnostic systems are large, complex instruments.Today's premium ultrasound systems, while mounted in carts forportability, continue to weigh several hundred pounds. In the past,ultrasound systems such as the ADR 4000 ultrasound system, produced byAdvanced Technology Laboratories, Inc., were smaller desktop units aboutthe size of a personal computer. However such instruments lacked many ofthe advanced features of today's premium ultrasound systems such ascolor Doppler imaging and three dimensional display capabilities.

The judicious use of power and signal processing on ASIC devices hasenabled smaller system to push past the feature limitations in smallerolder systems that employed mechanical transducers or analog chip sets.Digital beamforming and advanced processing is now available on smallersystems such as the SonoHeart Elite, by SonoSite, Inc., and commonassignee of the present invention. The success of the handheld devicehas spawned competitive products that are beginning to offer moreadvanced features. However, the use of a small handheld requires a tradeoff in the form of display size and battery life. Cart based unitsprovide users with the luxury of full sized CRT monitors, as well as ahost of peripheral devices at the ready. Hand held devices offerportability, but are restricted to the features built in to theirchassis. Some hand held devices are offered in combination with aninterface to added peripherals through a cart add on, however thisincreases the cost of the device and requires a user to buy specializedequipment from the manufacturer of the hand held.

Thus, there remains a need for a diagnostic ultrasound instrument whichprovides the advantages of light weight mobility, combined with advancedfunctionality traditionally restricted to larger cart based system.

There is also a need for a more economical diagnostic ultrasound systemthat will allow small users and institutions to purchase ultrasoundunits that have the capacity the user or institution requires withouthaving to pay the expense of additional features the user or institutionwill not use.

There further remains a need for a device that is portable, and remainshighly resistant to shock damage from being dropped or jostled duringtransport from place to place.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular diagnostic ultrasoundapparatus for use in multiple environments. In a first embodiment amodular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is disclosed comprising a coreunit, a system electronics package and at least one I/O port. The coreunit is a housing containing the system electronics package. The systemelectronics package has one or more concatenated functions and includesa front end transmit/receive circuit, a processor, a back end circuitfor scan conversion, a system clock and a programmable system memorydevice. There is also at least one I/O port connected to the front endand the back end of the system electronics package and extending throughthe core unit housing wherein all system data processing information istransmitted or received through the at least one I/O port.

In a second embodiment, a modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatuscontained within a clamshell style enclosure weighing less than 10pounds (4.5 kg), said enclosure further comprising: a bottom unit havinga system electronics package, a battery, a plurality of user interfaceelements positioned substantially on a top surface of said bottom unit,at least one I/O port connector in electronic communication with saidsystem electronics package and extending through the enclosure; a topunit hingedly connected to said bottom unit, consisting of a videodisplay screen; and an aperture for receiving a transducer connector,said aperture being positioned substantially on the underside of thebottom unit.

In another aspect of the present invention, a mini-dock for connectingperipheral devices to a modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus isdisclosed, the mini-dock comprising: a receptacle housing; a pluralityof peripheral device ports, mounted in the receptacle housing, eachperipheral device port connected to one or more individual electricalconnector(s) for electrical communication with a receptacle; and areceptacle for releasably mating with an I/O port of the modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus, the receptacle capable of electroniccommunication with said plurality of peripheral device ports.

Another aspect of the present invention is a docking station forconnecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus, the docking station comprising: a mini-dock havinga housing, a plurality of peripheral device ports in electroniccommunication with a receptacle, the mini-dock being fixedly attached toa base; a base having a means for guiding a modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus into alignment with the mini-dock, and a means forsecuring the modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus to the mini-dock;and a power supply incorporated within the base and in electroniccommunication with the mini-dock such that electrical power can be fedfrom the power supply to the modular ultrasound apparatus through themini-dock.

Another aspect of the modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is amulti-transducer connector module (multi-tap module) comprising ahousing having a raised relief connector for mating with an aperture fora transducer connector on a modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus, themulti-transducer connector having a plurality of recess connectors forfittingly engaging a plurality of transducer connectors (each using araised relief connector adaptor), the housing having a switch for eachrecess connector by which an operator can select which transducer isconnected to the ultrasound device to be used at any particular moment.The switch for selecting which transducer to be used may either be anelectromechanical switch, or a software implementation of a switchcontrolled through the user interface of the modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a mobile dockingstation for use with a modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatuscomprising: a base having a plurality of castors wherein at least onesaid castor is capable of locking; a tower mounted on said base; adocking station located substantially near the top of the tower, thedocking station capable of releasably receiving a modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus; and a recesses for a plurality of peripheraldevices, ergonomically positioned within said tower to allow a userconvenient operation of the modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus anda number of peripheral devices in the course of a diagnostic ultrasoundscan procedure.

The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus also includes a system fordiagnostic ultrasound examinations comprising a modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus having an aperture for receiving a transducerconnector, a sample data beamformer and signal processing electronicscombined and at least one I/O port, the modular ultrasound apparatusbeing releasably connected to a mini-dock; a mini-dock having aplurality of peripheral device ports and a receptacle for releasablyengaging said I/O port; and a mobile docking station for the modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus, a tower, a plurality of recesses forperipheral devices and base; wherein the modular diagnostic ultrasoundapparatus may operate as a portable diagnostic ultrasound device whenremoved from said system, or as a cart style ultrasound system when inelectronic communication with said mini-dock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates in block diagram form the architecture of a handheld ultrasound system.

FIG. 1B shows a core unit module of the present invention.

FIG. 1C shows a clamshell embodiment of the core unit.

FIG. 2 shows a mini-dock style connector module.

FIG. 3 shows a docking station style system module.

FIG. 4 shows a mobile workstation style system module.

FIG. 5 shows a multi-tap transducer module.

FIG. 6 shows a multi station system incorporating all the modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The focus of the present invention lies in a modular ultrasound systemhaving a core module having the essential ultrasound processorfunctions, and a series of additional modules which, when combined withthe core module, provide expanded capability and utility to the coremodule. The following description gives both the principle embodimentand alternative embodiments of the invention. Use of certain terms inthe disclosure warrant clarification before an in depth discussion canoccur.

The invention presented here is for an ultrasound device to beprincipally used for diagnostic purposes. However the term diagnosticshould not be misconstrued to be read as being for non-therapeuticpurposes. We use the term diagnostic to mean providing high qualityimaging, as is characteristic of diagnostic imaging devices in themedical ultrasound industry. Because the present invention can provideimages for use in biopsy procedures, Peripherally Inserted CentralCatheter (PICC) lines and other procedures, the use of the ultrasounddevice herein is not purely for diagnosis of diseases. However, wespecifically disclaim any use of the present invention for a purelytherapeutic purpose, such as ablative ultrasound, thermal heating (as inthe treatment of hypothermia) or mechanical tissue disruption, such asthe generation of cavitation effects. The diagnostic ultrasound deviceof the present invention runs with the same power and frequency ofdevices used for diagnostic imaging, or therapies using diagnosticimaging—the device itself is not used as the source of therapy.

A focal point of the invention is the communication ability of the coremodule to the various other modules that comprise the system of theinvention. Thus the core module has a single I/O port in its preferredembodiment sometimes referred to as the plug. The plug is a multi-pinelectronic communication adaptor for matingly engaging a receptacle. Thereceptacle is a device with a corresponding pin set to match up theplug, and read data from the core module and sort it out to a variety ofother devices that are in electronic communication with the receptacle.In alternative embodiments, there may be multiple I/O ports and a plug.The plug retains its function in all embodiments of the presentinvention, though electronic communication with additional module andcomponents may be achieved through dedicated I/O ports. Any port inaddition to the plug is a dedicate I/O port designed to receive input,or transmit output to a particular device. Likewise, in alternativeembodiments of modules with a receptacle, there are no other I/O portsinvolved except the receptacle designed to mate with and communicatewith the plug.

The core unit has a system electronics that should be understood to bethe central processing core of the ultrasound device and the ultrasoundengine. It can be thought of as an ultrasound motherboard. The systemelectronics of the core module, both in the preferred embodiment, andalternative embodiments, has the capacity to recognize and drive a groupof transducer arrays such that a single core module can be connectedwith a plurality of transducers and perform all types of ultrasoundprocedures the transducers are designed for.

Turning now to FIG. 1A, a core module 10 for an ultrasound system isillustrated having system electronics 14 allowing the core module 10 tooperate as a data processing and signal processing unit for a modularultrasound system 60. The core module 10 comprises a housing 11 havingthe system electronics 14 mated to an I/O connector (plug) 12. A gapspace 13 exists between the system electronics 14 and housing 11 and canbe filled with an impact resistant padding material, or the housing canbe made to abut the system electronics to eliminate or minimize the gapspace. It its simplest form the core module 10 comprises just the systemelectronics 14 without a power supply, transducer, video interface oruser interface. The core module 10 is highly mobile and verylightweight. The core module can be easily moved from place to place andmated to a modular ultrasound system 60 having the additional componentsdesired for performing any variety of ultrasound scans.

The system electronics 14 (FIG. 1B) has one or more concatenatedfunctions (filters) and includes a transmit/receive ASIC (beamformer)which are capable of driving one or more transducer arrays (not shown).The concatenated functions are ultrasound functions for processingsignals in various ways. Two examples are a QBP filter and a digitalDoppler processing function. The concatenated functions are notnecessarily serially linked in that they require each other to operate.Though this is true in some cases where the processing of one type ofsignal is needed for the handling of another (e.g. QBP can be used byboth a B mode and a PW Doppler mode), it is not necessary that a circuitfor color power angio is linked together with continuous wave Doppler,in this instance, the filters can operate independently. Thetransmit/receive ASIC also controls the active transmit and receiveapertures of a transducer array and the gain of the received echosignals. Echo data received by the transmit/receive ASIC are provided tothe adjacent front end ASIC, which digitizes and beamforms the echoesfrom the individual transducer elements into coherent scan line signals.The front end ASIC also controls the transmit waveform timing, apertureand focusing of the ultrasound beam through control signals provided forby the transmit/receive ASIC. A memory device is connected to the frontend ASIC which stores data used by the beamformer.

The beamformed scan line signals are coupled from the front end ASIC tothe adjacent digital signal processing ASIC. The digital signalprocessing ASIC filters the scan line signals and can provide additionalfeatures such as synthetic aperture formation, frequency compounding,Doppler processing such as power Doppler (color power angio) processing,speckle reduction, and pulse wave Doppler. Additional features such ascontinuous wave Doppler, can be incorporated into the system electronicsif desired.

The ultrasound information is then coupled to the adjacent back end ASICfor scan conversion and the production of video outputs signals throughthe I/O port to the monitoring device attached to the core module. Amemory device is coupled to the back end ASIC to provide storage used inthree dimensional, 2D and power Doppler (3d CPA) imaging. The back endASIC also adds alphanumeric information to the display such as the time,date, and patient identification. A graphics processor overlays theultrasound image with information such as depth and focus markers andcursors. The graphics processor need not be incorporated into the coreelectronics system package, instead relying on a dedicated graphicsprocessor card integrated into a docking module 40 of the modular system60, and receiving the necessary component information from the coremodule 10. The video data can be transmitted through the I/O port 12 inone of several formats including NTSC, PAL, and RGB. Frames ofultrasound images are exported to an external video memory again throughthe I/O port 12 coupled to the back end ASIC. The stored data can beretrieved through the system electronics using a playback mode foreither live Cineloop® real time sequence or as individual stills.

The back end ASIC also includes the central processor for the coremodule. The central processor is preferably a RISC (reduced instructionset controller) processor. The RISC processor is coupled to the frontend and digital signal processing ASICs to control and synchronize theprocessing and control functions for both the core module, and themodular system the core module may be linked into at the time. A programmemory is coupled to the back end ASIC to store program data which isused by the RISC processor to operate and control the core module, andthe various elements of the modular system (transducer, multi-tapconnector, video data overlay features, etc.). The RISC processor isalso coupled to any user interface controls connected to the modularsystem, the RISC processor accepts user inputs to direct and control theoperations of the core module, and the modular system as illustrated,all the inputs and outputs of the system electronics are designed to gothrough a single I/O port 12.

The main system, application and control software are stored in apersistent memory device integrated directly into the systemelectronics. The system software, control software and applicationsoftware are loaded into the system electronics processors during powerup. The core module may use any number of persistent memory devicesintegrated into the system electronics. Each ASIC includes a separatememory core having the necessary loadable data on it that is loaded intoeach ASIC during the power up cycle. The main system and applicationsoftware includes the essential driver and communications informationfor the core module to communicate with, and control, a select number ofperipherals. In particular these peripherals include scan heads,preferred user I/O devices (such as keyboards, pointer devices and touchscreen interface recognition), printers, VCRs, monitors and data storagedevices. The entire volume of system and application software should beefficiently coded to preserve space and avoid the need for a largecapacity storage device like a hard drive. Since the core module isprincipally designed for diagnostic ultrasound, large capacity storagedevices such as hard drives should not be necessary. The omission ofdevices like a hard drive, power supply and other elements commonlyincorporated into computers or typical hand held products allows thecore module to be manufactured with the smallest foot print thetechnology will allow. The housing for the core module only needs tosecurely enclose the system electronics and the I/O port. To improveimpact resistance, the system electronics can be encased in resin orepoxy.

Power for the core module is provided by the modular system through theI/O port, or in the alternative, through a separate I/O used as adedicated power terminal. Although the core module preferably does nothave a built in power supply, it still requires a powermonitoring/regulating circuit to provide proper power to the individualcomponents during use. An external power supply can feed energy to thecore module either through the I/O port, or through a dedicated poweradaptor, however the power supply “brick” must be separate from the coremodule.

In an alternative embodiment, the core module can incorporate additionalhardware elements allowing the core module to operate as a stand alonedevice. In a first alternative embodiment, the core module 10 includesthe features of previously described hand-held ultrasound systems in theform of system electronics, video out with the addition of an on boardvideo display device 26, and a plurality of user inputs 28 in the formof a pointer, alphanumeric keypad, touch screen, programmable hot keys,and/or display control dials. This embodiment may also include speakersfor audio output (not shown) and/or a direct transducer connection 24.The core module 10 now requires an internal power supply 25 in the formof a battery in order to operate as a stand alone device. Thisembodiment also requires either a built in or removable data storagedevice.

For ergonomic considerations, the stand alone version of the core modulemay be in the form of a tablet style PC or a laptop computer, as both ofthese designs are commonly used today and provide users with a familiardesign and interface mode. In these embodiments the core module musthave sufficient video capabilities to drive the video device coupled tothe core module, such as an LCD device. The display out put can be aslow as six bit to provide sufficient color capacity to drive the coremodule video display, or an external display that the core module may beattached to. The display output is preferably 8 or 16 bit, but can beinclude 24 bit RGB output. Color supporting bandwidth is necessary forsome ultrasound scans that involve color display (PW, color angio) orhigher definition gray scale. Where the core module 10 may be connectedto a docking station 40 having an independent video processor, the datanecessary for the video display need only be transmitted to theindependent video processor. It is both possible and desirable incertain instances to be able to utilize both displays simultaneously,such as in the instances where more than one display is desired, orwhere it is necessary to check one display against the other as in asystem diagnostic test.

In another variation on this embodiment, a form factor having the tabletor laptop configuration may include a built in handle 23. The handle 23may be used strictly for carrying the core module 20, or it may serve asa sound chamber for speakers built into the handle. The handle may alsoserve as an I/O port for a dedicated connection, such as an externalmouse, power adaptor or other user interface tool. In operation a usermay use the handle as a wrist rest to reduce the incidence of repetitivemotion syndrome while inputting information into the core module 10through the user interface 28.

No matter what user interface elements are incorporated into the coremodule, the principle design is still focused toward, and optimized for,using the core module with a modular system. Thus while the core modulemay have the features of a portable or hand-held ultrasound system, itremains primarily the core module of a larger modular system that hasgreater capacity for complete diagnostic ultrasound scans with a fullrange of peripheral devices at the ready.

The connection between the core module 10 and the modular system isthrough a receptacle module 30 or mini-dock. The receptacle module 30connects peripheral devices to the core module 10. The receptacle module30 comprises a receptacle housing, peripheral ports 34 and a receptacle32. The receptacle module housing is a body designed to contain thehardware needed to provide the electronic communication between theperipheral devices and the core module 10. A plurality of peripheraldevice ports 34 are mounted in said receptacle housing 30, eachperipheral device port is connected to one or more individual electricalconnector(s) for electrical communication with a receptacle 32. Thereceptacle 32 is designed for releasably mating with the I/O port 12 ofthe core module 10. Thus the core module 10 may communicate with thedesired peripheral devices through the receptacle module, andvisa-versa.

The electronic communication between said receptacle 32 and theplurality of peripheral device ports 34 can be either a pass throughconnection or an active connection. If the connection is active, thereceptacle module 30 contains one or more active circuits. The interfacefunctions essentially as an interface converter for signals. Typicallythe active circuits required are analog to digital (A/D) and digital toanalog (D/A) converts for video out and in. It may also performdigital-to-digital conversion (D/D) for different digital video outputs.By placing the A/D and D/A converters in the receptacle housing 30,space and weight is conserved within the core module 10. This provides asubstantial weight and real estate savings in the core module 10 whetherit is used as a stand alone unit, or as a central processing core for amodular system. Video A/D and D/A converters should not be needed in thecore module having built in video, since the built in display should beable to use the native signal without conversion.

The receptacle housing may also have a latching mechanism 35 forsecuring itself to the core module 10. A simple latch, such as tensionlocking arms or hooks may be used, or an interlocking connector likerails and grooves. A manual release of the interlocking mechanism allowsfor an easy release of the core module and the receptacle module. Thisfeature may be found in another module when the receptacle module 30 isconnected to either a docking station 40 or a mobile docking stand 50.The receptacle housing itself contains all the connectors needed for thecore unit to interface with a wide body of peripheral devices. Examplesof such connections include specialized adaptors for power 34 a, printer34 b, network 34 c, Ethernet 34 d, RS232 adaptor 34 e, S-video out 34 f,VGA out 34 g, composite video out 34 h, sound out 34 i, physio-adaptor34 j (as for an ECG measuring device), and transducer adaptor 34 k. Thephysio port is designed for receiving input from a device that measuressome physiological parameter that a user can combine with a diagnosticultrasound scan to produce a more accurate diagnosis. Electro cardiogram (ECG) measurements are an example of such a physio-monitoringdevice that can be used in conjunction with the ultrasound scan.Additional controls for a full sized user interface station (keyboard,pointer, input devices) may use an additional port, or go through theEthernet adaptor 34 d or RS232 34 e port. The peripheral devices are“off the shelf” materials commonly used in hospitals and ultrasoundscanning environments, and the receptacle housing uses peripheral portsto match these existing technologies. However the receptacle module canbe constructed and configured to communicate with virtually any deviceso long as the system electronics 14 has the appropriate communicationsprotocol programmed into it. The receptacle housing may further includea surge protector (not shown) to shield the core module from electricalsurges while plugged into a power supply.

The receptacle housing uses a plurality of electrical pins in thereceptacle 32 for communication with the I/O port 12 of the core module10. The layout of the pins varies with the intended communication thecore module would need to interact with a modular system, or a series ofstand alone peripherals. Further pin economy may be achieved by usingthe same pins for communicating to different devices through a welltimed cycle of instructions based on the system clock, such as with anI2C protocol. An example of the pin layout is as follows:

-   -   PINS 1-20 Power and ground    -   PINS 21-106 Digital video out    -   PINS 107-143 Communication links, (e.g. RS232, Ethernet, USB        printer, I2C, ECG and Audio in/out).    -   PINS 144-200 Connection status lines, additional ground lines,        and spare lines.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a docking station 40 isdesigned to mate with the core module 10 through a receptacle module 30.The docking station 40 is used for connecting a plurality of peripheraldevices to the core module. The docking station 40 comprising areceptacle module 30 component as described above attached to a baseunit 42. The base unit 42 has a means for guiding the core module 10into alignment with the receptacle module 30. The base 42 alsopreferably includes a means for securing the core module and thereceptacle module into place while connected. The means for guiding thecore module into place and securing the core module into position can bethe same feature. By way of example, the docking station may include amechanical tray or cradle having an open position that the core modulecan be placed into, then the mechanical tray or cradle is moved to aclosed position with the core module in place. The movement of themechanical tray or cradle causes the core module to be moved into theproper position and locked into position at the same time. As long asthe mechanical tray or cradle is in place, the core module cannot beremoved or become misaligned. The mechanism could be a simple funneltype of guide rails that ensure the core module is funneled into thecorrect orientation for proper docking. The user in this case must applythe necessary force to ensure the core module and receptacle module ordocking station properly line up. An electromechanical device may alsobe used. A small motor could be used to perform the mechanical work of aperson, and the motor could be activated as soon as it detects the coremodule in place, or by the push of a button from a user. The dockingstation incorporates a power supply within the base and in electroniccommunication with the receptacle module such that electrical power canbe fed from the power supply to the core module through the receptaclemodule/mini-dock.

Alternatively the docking station may utilize a housing having a slot oraperture for slidably receiving the core module. Thus in a fashionsimilar to the way a VHS tape is inserted into a VCR, the core modulewould be placed into the docking station having a housing, and anelectromechanical component would draw the core module into the housingand secure it in place. In this embodiment the housing can be eitherattached to the base, or incorporate the base into a single component.In this embodiment it is not possible to utilize and video display whichmay be incorporated into the core module, therefore it would bepreferable to reinforce the internal frame of the housing to support theweight of a video display, such as a CRT, LCD or plasma display monitor.

In either format, the docking station would not be mobile, so the use ofadditional accessories that ordinarily would not be considered highlyportable is logistically acceptable here. Such additional componentsinclude a larger, more ergonomically designed user interface, such as afull size QWERTY style keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse,track ball or “joy stick.” A large touch screen can also be used toallow the use of on screen hot keys and supplemental pointer device.

A fifth module for use with the docking station is a multi-transducerinterface module 50. The multi-transducer interface module 50 has asingle transducer connector 51 for mating with the docking station 40,or in the alternative with the transducer connector aperture 24 of thecore module, and a plurality of transducer connector apertures 52incorporated into the multi-tap module. In this manner the dockingstation 40 can have at the ready a variety of ultrasound probes, such asa neonatal probe, trans-esophageal probe, or any other probe desired tobe used in a diagnostic scan. When the core module 10 is mated to thedocking station 40 and powered up, the core module 10 can detect whichtransducers are connected to the system and select the appropriatebeamformer program and data processing to match the probe. The multi-tapmodule 50 may incorporate either a plurality of electromechanicalswitches 53 to allow a user to switch between probes, of the core module10 may contain a soft switch within its system electronics package toswitch between transducers at the direction of a user.

Additional utility is realized in a sixth embodiment in the form of amobile docking station 45. The mobile docking station 45 comprises abase 44 having a plurality of castors 46 wherein at least one saidcastor is capable of locking, a tower 48 is mounted on the base and adocking station 40 is located substantially near the top of the tower48, the docking station 40 is capable of releasably receiving the coremodule 10.

The mobile docking station 45 can incorporate a plurality of storagebins into the tower design. The bins can be used for the storage of bothperipheral devices such as a printer, data storage device and VCR, aswell as peripheral equipment such as coupling gels, transducers,connecting cables and the like. The tower is preferably heightadjustable and may include gas cylinders actuated by a manual trigger toraise or lower the docking station. The tower is preferably a weightbalanced design to avoid imbalance of the mobile docking station eitherwhile in use, or while being moved from place to place. The tower may beany design corresponding to the weight balanced design, such as an “A”frame, “Z” frame, an inverted “T” frame, or an “I” frame. Multiple otherframes are equally usable assuming the base has been weighted tocompensate for the positioning of peripheral devices and accessoryproducts that might be used in the ordinary course of the mobile dockingstation.

Similar in the design and intended use of the stationary dockingstation, the mobile docking station can incorporate the interface to thecore module for a multi-transducer adaptor (multi-tap module) and anenhanced user interface utilizing full sized components for ease of use.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a system 60 isenvisioned for providing enhanced diagnostic ultrasound flexibility andcapacity through the use of one or more core modules 10 and a pluralityof docking stations 40. The docking stations may either be desktop(stationary 40) or mobile 45 in design. In this manner, a user, such asa hospital or clinic can reduce the costs of purchasing a variety ofultrasound devices, and instead purchase a multitude of cheaper dockingstations 40 or mobile docking stations 45. It can be appreciated bythose who perform ultrasound scans that there is an advantage for onlypaying for expensive equipment such as the core module once or twice,and being able to carry that around easily and using it with cheaperdocking stations or mobile docking stations. Substantial savings incapital equipment may be made in using a system of this design. Thealternative embodiment of the core module 10 which incorporates handheld functionality can then operate as a mobile or field device and thenreturn to a docking station for operation with a plurality of peripheraldevices, thus enabling the mobile unit to perform as a the processor foran ultrasound suite. The core module 10 is designed to provide complexultrasound capabilities such as those found in large, premium devices,as well as scaled down feature sets in the event it is plugged into adock with less capable peripherals. The core module is fairly simple inconstruction, yet provides the processing for as many ultrasoundfeatures as a user may desire. The core may be easily and quicklyremoved from one dock and inserted into another, even if the dockingstation is “hot” (powered).

Where the core module is moved from one docking station to anotherwithin system 60, the system electronics package has the capability toeither automatically detect, or identify through user input, the type ofultrasound probe attached to the docking station it is being used with,and draw on the appropriate concatenated filters needed. This allowsmaximum flexibility and minimum user effort in the system.

While the descriptions above provide a sense of the invention, the fullscope of the invention is more accurately provided in the appendedclaims.

1. A modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus comprising: a core unitincluding a system electronics package having one or more concatenatedfunctions, said system electronics package including an ultrasound frontend transmit/receive circuit, a processor, a back end circuit forultrasound scan conversion, a system clock and a programmable systemmemory device; and at least one I/O port having a plurality of datalines, at least one connected to each of said front end circuit and saidback end circuit of said system electronics package and extendingthrough said core unit; wherein all system data processing informationis transmitted or received through said at least one I/O port; and adocking station for releasably receiving said core unit.
 2. The modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein saidback end circuit further comprises a means for producing video outputsignals.
 3. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described inclaim 1, wherein said system electronics package further comprises ameans for data storage.
 4. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatusof claim 1, wherein said system electronics package includes a digitalsignal processor comprising: a digital B mode filter for filtering Bmode signals; a digital Doppler filter for filtering Doppler signals; aB mode signal detector and mapping circuit; and a Doppler signalestimator circuit.
 5. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the programmable system memory device isone or more flash ram chip(s) integrated into said system electronicspackage.
 6. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described inclaim 1, wherein said at least one I/O port consists of a transducerconnector and a data I/O connector for communication with a plurality ofperipheral devices.
 7. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus asdescribed in claim 1, wherein said at least one I/O port consists of aphysio port, a transducer connector and a data I/O port forcommunication with a plurality of peripheral devices.
 8. The modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said atleast one I/O port consists of a physio port, a transducer connector, apower adaptor receptacle and a data I/O port for communication with aplurality of peripheral devices.
 9. The modular diagnostic ultrasoundapparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one I/O port isa multi-pin connector having dedicated pin out and receive for aplurality of peripheral devices.
 10. The modular diagnostic ultrasoundapparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one I/O port isa multi-pin connector having shared pin out and receive forcommunicating with a plurality of peripheral devices, wherein sharing isachieved through a timing scheme of signal I/O based on said systemclock.
 11. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described inclaim 1, wherein said at least one I/O port is a multi-pin connectorhaving a combination of dedicated and shared pin out and receive. 12.The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described in claim 1preferably weighing less than 10 pounds (4.5 kg).
 13. The modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described in claim 1 more preferablyweighing less than seven pounds (3.18 kg).
 14. The modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus as described in claim 1 even more preferablyweighing less than 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
 15. The modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said systemelectronics package is divided among two or more circuit boards andarranged to shield digital or noisy areas from sensitive signal areas.16. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidcore unit operates as a portable ultrasound device when removed fromsaid docking station.
 17. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said core unit operates as a cart-style ultrasounddevice when in electronic communication with said docking station. 18.The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus of claim 1, said dockingstation further comprising: a base; a mini-dock attached to said base;and a power supply incorporated within said base and in electroniccommunication with said mini-dock.
 19. The modular diagnostic ultrasoundapparatus of claim 18, said mini-dock further comprising: a housing; areceptacle; and a plurality of peripheral device ports in electroniccommunication with said receptacle.
 20. The modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus of claim 18, said base further comprising: meansfor guiding said core unit into alignment with said mini-dock; and meansfor securing said core unit to said mini-dock.
 21. The modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus of claim 1 wherein said docking stationis mounted on a base having a plurality of castors.
 22. The modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus of claim 21 wherein at least one of saidplurality of castors is capable of locking.
 23. A modular diagnosticultrasound apparatus contained within a clamshell style enclosureweighing less than 10 pounds (4.5 kg), said enclosure furthercomprising: a bottom unit having a system electronics package, abattery, a plurality of user interface elements positioned substantiallyon a top surface of said bottom unit, at least one I/O port connector inelectronic communication with said system electronics package andextending through the enclosure and said bottom unit having an undersideopposite said top surface; a top unit hingedly connected to said bottomunit, comprising of a video display screen; and an aperture forreceiving a transducer connector and communicating therewith, saidaperture being positioned on the underside of the bottom unit.
 24. Themodular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus of claim 23, wherein said systemelectronics package includes a digital signal processor comprising: adigital B mode filter for filtering B mode signals; a digital Dopplerfilter for filtering Doppler signals; a B mode signal detector andmapping circuit; and a Doppler signal estimator circuit.
 25. The modulardiagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described in claim 23, wherein atransducer having a transducer connector is releasably engaged to saidaperture.
 26. The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as describedin claim 23, preferably weighing less than eight pounds (3.63 kg). 27.The modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described in claim 23more preferably weighing less than five pounds (2.27 kg).
 28. Themodular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as described in claim 23,wherein said user interface consists essentially of an alpha numerickeypad, a plurality of programmable and preprogrammed control buttons,and a pointing device.